Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children: Experience and Constraints in a Resource-limited Setting.
Date
2020
Authors
Olatona, F.A.
Adeniyi, O.F.
Odeghe, E
Lawal, M.
Onywekwelu, V.I.
Akinbolagbe, Y.O.
Ikobah, J.M.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Introduction: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), though well described in the Caucasian population, is rarely encountered in black African children. The aim of this study was to increase the awareness of this emerging condition in African children and highlight the constraints of management in a resource-limited setting like Nigeria.
Methods: This study included an audit of children with IBD who were seen between January 2015 and February 2020 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH). The clinical records of children aged one to 16 years who presented with recurrent abdominal pain, weight loss, and gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding with clinical suspicion of IBD were reviewed. Clinical features, endoscopic findings, histopathologic findings, and treatment were documented.
Results: Eight children with IBD were seen during the study period. The median age was 12.0 years (range: five to 15 years). The most common reported concerns in the children were chronic abdominal pain [seen in four patients (50%)] and bloody diarrhea [seen in three patients (42.30%)]. Weight loss and arthritis were seen in three (37.5%) and one (12.5%) children, respectively. Endoscopy confirmed two cases of Crohn’s disease (CD), three cases of ulcerative colitis (UC), and three cases of indeterminate colitis (IC). The children with CD were treated with steroids and exclusive enteral nutrition, with one patient receiving methotrexate, while the UC and IC patients received 5-aminosalicylate therapy.
Conclusion: Although IBD is uncommon in Nigeria, a high index of suspicion is vital to enable early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Management in the African setting is severely constrained by limited access to endoscopy facilities and the nonavailability of other effective treatment options such as biologic agents.
Description
Scholarly articles
Keywords
Resource limited setting , Inflammatory bowel disease , Children , Constraints , Research Subject Categories::MEDICINE
Citation
Adeniyi O F, Odeghe E, Olatona F A. Lawal M, Onywekwelu VI, Akinbolagbe YO, Ikobah JM, Inflammatory Bowel Disease in Children: Experience and Constraints in a Resource-limited Setting. Cureus. 2020; 12(4): e7848. doi:10.7759/cureus.7848